Apparatus for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a helmet, a body harness and a plurality of anchor assemblies connecting the helmet to the body harness. The anchor assemblies are adjusted to limit the cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion of a wearer to a predetermined set point, each anchor assembly including a plurality of guide members extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly, the plurality of guide members being attached to the anchor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common problem faced in today's amateur and professional sports, particularly in contact sports such as hockey, football and lacrosse, is the issue of neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion. Concussion can be caused by direct contact to the head, but also as a result of acceleration forces, both linear and rotational, to the neck and head. These forces may be experienced during a body check or tackle even without direct contact to the head. The effect of the force during such an event results in movement of the brain against the skull that causes disruption of cell function. Concussions can also occur from rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension of the spinal cord, brain stem and blood vessels located in the upper cervical area around the C1/C2 vertebral motor unit, which can occur during impact of a body check or tackle in which a resultant whipping of the neck and head happens much like that in a motor vehicle accident. In either case, concussions result in altered brain function that may last for days, months or even years, and can also lead to depression and early onset dementia.

To reduce the risk of concussions and spinal cord injuries, participants in contact sports, such as football, field hockey, lacrosse and ice hockey, wear protective helmets to shield the head and skull area from impact injuries. Helmet technology has sought to address problems with concussions; new foam headlines are being used inside helmets, often in combination with thicker, stronger and lighter plastic shells. Furthermore, sports leagues have taken efforts to make rule changes to reduce concussions, such as limiting body-checking and eliminating blind side hits or helmet to helmet contact.

Despite these advances in helmet technology and rule changes, instances of concussion continue to increase at alarming rates. While rule changes and advances in helmet technology have been significant in reducing direct impact injuries from blows to the head, any force applied to the helmet still moves the entire head. Thus, concussions and spinal cord injuries that occur as a result of acceleration/deceleration forces continue to occur; helmet technology advances also do not address other potential brain and spinal cord injury.

While prior attempts to reduce the risk of neck injuries from helmet motions have been addressed, these prior attempts have been largely unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons.

Prior art devices for preventing neck injury are centrally located on the helmet and fasten the helmet rigidly to a support structure such that safe and effective play is not possible due to restrictions in the participant's head motion, and thus to his or her vision and responsiveness. Exposed fasteners to the helmet present a hazard of injury to other players and in the case of entanglement, unexpected and potentially injurious head movement to the participant wearing the helmet. Elastic straps attached to the helmet induce unnecessary fatigue to the participant during the course of the event.

A device for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injuries and concussion that does not suffer from one or more of the above drawbacks or other deficiencies in the current art would be desirable.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for preventing neck, spinal cord injury and concussion, including a helmet, a body harness, and three anchor assemblies separately positioned at rear, and right and left side positions and connecting the helmet to the body harness, the anchor assemblies are adjusted to limit cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion of a wearer to a predetermined set point. The apparatus further includes each anchor assembly positioned at the right side position and at the left side position including three guide members extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly, the anchor assembly positioned at the rear position including at least one guide member extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly. The apparatus further includes each of the guide members being attached to a corresponding anchor, the anchor comprising a retainer for receiving and securing the guide members and a retainer seat permanently attached to the body harness, the retainer and retainer seat being detachably coupled to one another, the helmet being detachable from the body harness without adjusting the guide members secured to the retainer, wherein the retainer and retainer seat are male and female buckle elements.

In some embodiments, the anchor may be a two-part, quick release device having a retainer for receiving and securing the guide cords and a retainer seat permanently attached to the body harness. In this manner, the helmet can be removed without having to re-adjust the guide members or the point of attachment on the body harness.

One advantage of exemplary embodiments is that a device is provided that prevents against injury without restricting a participant's cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension range of motion.

Another advantage of exemplary embodiments is that the device prevents injury while minimizing the risk to other players that might come into contact with the device.

Still another advantage of exemplary embodiments is that the device does not interfere with the user's ability to remove his or her helmet without requiring the device to be readjusted.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary device for preventing neck injury.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back or rear view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 resting on a support surface.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an exemplary retainer for receiving and securing guide members of the device.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of an exemplary retainer seat receiving the retainer of FIG. 5 and guide members received in the retainer.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary retainer receiving and securing guide members of the device opposite the retainer of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a lower perspective view of an exemplary anchor assembly.

FIG. 10 is a reverse perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a back or rear view of an exemplary device.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Provided is an exemplary device or apparatus for preventing neck injury according to the disclosure. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for a device that does not restrict a participant's cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension range of motion; does not expose other players to the hazards of exposed fasteners; and does not unduly fatigue the participant from elastic straps.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an apparatus or a device 10 for preventing neck injury includes an anchor assembly 12, helmet 16, and body harness 14. Although the helmet 16 shown in the drawings is illustrated as a football helmet, it will be appreciated that any style of helmet for use in any type of sport or recreational activity may be used in conjunction with the device 10 including, without limitation, lacrosse, football, hockey, racing, roller coasters or other “rides”, interactive video gaming (e.g., with 3D goggles) and bicycling, all by way of example only. In the same manner, the body harness 14 may be any harness of the types that are now known or later may be developed to be worn by an individual including, without limitation, shoulder pads, protective vests, seat belts, and five point harness, all by way of example.

The anchor assembly 12 connects the helmet 16 to the body harness 14 and is adjustable to limit the wearer's range of cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion. This may advantageously be achieved by providing anchor assemblies 12 on each of the back or rear and both sides of the device as illustrated collectively in FIGS. 1-4. It will be appreciated that this arrangement is not the only one by which that goal could be achieved and that as few as three and as many as five, six or more anchor assemblies 12 may be distributed on the device about the wearer.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for anchor assemblies 12 associated with the right side and left side of helmet 16, each anchor assembly 12 includes an anchor 18 as well as a plurality of guide members 20 that are securely attached at a respective right side and left side to helmet 16. More specifically as shown in the illustrated embodiment, each anchor assembly 12 securely attached at a respective right side and left side to helmet 16 employs three guide members 20. In one embodiment, each anchor assembly 12 may be securely attached at a respective right side and left side to helmet 16 employing a number of guide members 20 that is different than 3. For each anchor assembly 12 securely attached at the back or rear of helmet 16 (shown in FIG. 3), such as by a clamp 22 a pair of guide members 20 are utilized. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, anchor assembly 12 is securely attached at the back or rear of helmet 16 by inserting one end of each corresponding guide member 20 opposite anchor 18 through an opening 66 formed in helmet 16 and installing a fastener 68 inside each of the respective tube ends for compressively and frictionally securing the tube walls between their respective fastener 66 and opening 66. Further referring to FIG. 11, a respective anchor 18 is secured to a top portion of body harness 14. Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, a single guide member 20 may be securely attached at the back or rear of helmet 16. In one embodiment, three or more guide members 20 may be securely attached at the back or rear of helmet 16. In one embodiment, guide members 20 are tubes such as hollow tubes composed of a suitable material such as rubber such as surgical rubber. Alternately, guide members may be sized nylon parachute cord or nylon sport cord. As will be discussed in further detail below, utilizing guide members formed in hollow tubes permits simplified assembly. That is, depending upon the fabrication techniques utilized, guide members may be hollow tubes, a cord, or any other suitable elongated form that can be securely attached at its opposed ends between the helmet and the body harness. In any event, the guide members in either case may be capable of absorbing over 500 pounds of force (i.e., having a tensile strength of at least 500 pounds). In one embodiment, hollow core latex tubes or bands having resistances between 5 pounds through 60 pounds may be used. In one embodiment, latex tubes or bands may be used having resistances less than 5 pounds or greater than 60 pounds. In one embodiment, resistance tubes or bands may be solid (i.e., not have a hollow core). In one embodiment, one or more guide members may be a combination of a cord and a hollow tube.

Guide members 20 should be securely attached to helmet 16 to reduce the likelihood of detachment during use, and may include permanent attachment, such as adhesive, application of heat, compression or friction fit or other manufacturing techniques as is suitable. That is, any suitable manner of securely attaching one end of the guide member 20 to the helmet 16 may be employed. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a retainer 24 is secured to a right side of helmet 16, which retainer 24 securely receiving each of three guide members 20. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7-8, retainer 24 includes three protuberances or bosses 26 each having an opening 28 formed therethrough, each opening 28 sized to receive a corresponding guide member 20. Once an end of guide member 20 is received in and extends through opening 28, preferably with the end of guide member 20 being at least flush with boss 26 (ends of guide member 20 shown in FIGS. 7-8 extending through boss 26 exposing a protruding segment 30 of guide member 20), a fastener 32 is inserted inside the inner diameter of hollow tubular guide member 20. If a threaded fastener 32 is threadedly engaged with guide member 20, with at least the major diameter of a threaded fastener 32 being sufficiently greater than the inner diameter of hollow tubular guide member 20, the opposed walls of guide member 20 are compressed between the surface of opening 28 and the outer surface of fastener 32 to secure guide member and boss 26 together. Alternately, fastener 32 may be unthreaded and engaged with guide member 20, and so long as the diameter of the shank of fastener 32 is sufficiently greater than the inner diameter of hollow tubular guide member 20, the opposed walls of guide member 20 are compressed between the surface of opening 28 and the outer surface of fastener 32 to secure guide member and boss 26 together.

As shown in FIG. 1, retainer 24 includes a slot 34 (FIG. 8) adapted to slide over the edge of the side of helmet 16 (FIG. 1), permitting fewer openings to need to be formed in helmet 16 to secure the three guide members 20 to helmet 16, such as by fasteners, such as using the same fastener 36 to secure the facemask to the helmet. Alternately, by virtue of the extended surface area of slot 34 (FIG. 8) and the corresponding edge surface of helmet 16, it may be possible to secure retainer 24 to helmet 16 without fasteners.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of clamps 22 are secured to the back or rear of helmet 16 for each receiving and securing a corresponding end of a pair of guide members 20. As further shown, clamps 22 are arranged to secure the corresponding ends of the pair of guide members in a fixed orientation relative to helmet 16, such as parallel to the lower edge or lip of the helmet, which when the wearer's head is positioned in a centered or neural position, generally corresponds to a horizontal position.

For purposes herein, since retainer 24 (FIG. 2) and clamp 22 (FIG. 3) are each secured to the helmet, the retainer and the clamp are each considered a part of the helmet, and as a result upon installation of the anchor assembly onto the helmet, the guide members are deemed to extend from the helmet.

As shown in FIG. 1, the end of each guide member 20 is opposite retainer 24 and is secured to the anchor 18 that is itself securely attached to the body harness 14. In one embodiment, the anchor 18 may be stitched directly to the body harness 14. Alternatively, the anchor 18 may employ a piece of nylon or other webbing as an intermediate piece. Any other suitable method of attaching the anchor 18 to the body harness 14 may also be employed and it will be appreciated that, as with the guide members 20 to the helmet 16, multiple methods of securing the anchor 18 to the body harness 14 may be used in a single device 10 based on the style of the body harness 14. In one embodiment, the anchor 18 is preferably secured sufficiently close to the body harness 14 so that anchor 18 is concealed by the wearer's jersey 38 (FIG. 3) along with the body harness 14 when in use. This limits potential injury that may occur by other players coming into contact with the exposed anchor 18, or unexpected and potentially injurious head movement in the case of entanglement, although at least a portion of the guide members 20 ordinarily remain exposed.

The anchor 18 has a retainer 40 and a retainer seat 42. Preferably, the anchor 18 is a two-piece quick release device such that the retainer 40 and retainer seat 42 are capable of being selectively disengaged from one another but can be readily re-engaged to provide a secure connection. This provides an ability for the wearer to remove his or her helmet 16 without removing the body harness 14 or needing to adjust or release the guide members 20 on the retainer 40 (as subsequently described in further detail), as may be desirable when a player is resting on the sideline of an athletic event. This may be achieved, for example, by employing a male and female buckle design for the retainer 40 and retainer seat 42 as best seen in FIGS. 6, 9, 10.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3, the retainer 40 of the anchor 18 provides a one-time adjustment that fixes the length of the guide member 20 between the helmet 16 and the retainer 40 when the wearer's desired range of motion is achieved, and as a result, acts to restrict the wearer's range of motion to a pre-determined limit, preventing extension beyond that pre-set limit which could result in injury to the wearer. The retainer 40 mechanically secures each of the corresponding guide members 20 associated with that anchor position. In the exemplary embodiment, three guide members 20 are associated with each of the side anchor positions, each guide member 20 securely attached to the helmet 16 at a distance apart from one another and tapering downward to their common anchor 18.

The spacing of the guide members 20, which are placed along the helmet 16 at specific intervals, is designed to allow normal cervical range of motion for the player. Normal ranges are 80 degrees for right and left rotation, 45 degrees for right and left lateral flexion, 50 degrees for flexion and 60 degrees for extension. It will be appreciated however, that the spacing to achieve these ranges may vary based on helmet design and helmet style. It will further be appreciated that normal ranges of motion may vary with age or gender, which may also be taken into consideration for the manufacture of any particular device 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary distribution of attachment points of the guide members 20 to the right side (the left side (not shown) is symmetric to the right side) of helmet 16 positioned in a horizontal orientation or horizontal position 50 correspond to several general wearer's facial features, including a temple region 54, jaw region 56, and an ear region 58. In addition, the axes extending through the centerlines of the respective guide member attachment points of the temple region 54, jaw region 56, and ear region 58 each subtends a respective angle 60, 62, 64 with a vertical axis. In one embodiment, angle 60 is approximately 15 degrees, angle 62 is approximately 15 degrees, and angle 64 is approximately 45 degrees. As a result of angles 60, 62, 64 having these magnitudes, sudden forces are applied more evenly to the wearer and have been tested to be most efficient.

Turning to FIGS. 9-10, an enlarged view of the anchor assembly 12 is shown and which depicts one arrangement in which the ends of each of guide members 20 is terminated in retainer 40 of anchor 18, although the description below describes the paths of guide members for purposes of clarity, the method for actual assembly of the described components may not be performed in this manner. As illustrated in a wearer's neutral position in FIG. 1, each of the three guide members 20 extends from helmet 16 toward an opposed end that is inserted through a pair of openings formed in the retainer 40. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 of an “empty” retainer 42, retainer 42 includes openings 44 a, 44 b for receiving a first guide member 20, openings 46 a, 46 b for receiving a second guide member 20, and 48 a, 48 b for receiving a third guide member 20. FIG. 6 shows a “filled” retainer 42 after the first guide member 20 (FIG. 1) is inserted through opening 44 a and then through opening 44 b and secured in opening 44 b with a fastener 32 as previously discussed, and after the second guide member 20 (FIG. 1) is inserted through opening 46 a and then through opening 46 b and secured in opening 46 b with a fastener 32 as previously discussed, and finally after the third guide member 20 (FIG. 1) is inserted through opening 48 a and then through opening 48 b and secured in opening 48 b with a fastener 32 as previously discussed, with each end of guide members 20 defining a “J” shape. In one embodiment, a continuous guide member 20 may, in effect form two guide members 20, in which a first portion of guide member 20 extends out of and away from opening 44 a, a second portion of guide member 20 that is continuous with the first portion extending between openings 44 a, 44 b, and a third portion of guide member 20 continuous with the second portion extending away from opening 44 b, wherein each of the first and third portions, in effect, defining separate guide members 20, so long as the first and third portions are sized or have lengths that result in corresponding maximum ranges of motion of the wearer.

It is appreciated that the appropriate lengths for the guide members are to be set to permit predetermined ranges of movement as will be discussed in further detail below. In one method for setting the lengths of the guide members 20, guide members 20 are inserted and secured in the respective openings 44 a, 44 b, 46 a, 46 b, 48 a, 48 b of retainer 40 with the helmet 16 on and the retainer 40 engaged with the retainer seat 42, and adjusting the insertion of the opposite end of the guide member in respective openings 28 (FIG. 7) of retainer 28. In one embodiment, the method for setting the lengths of the guide members 20 involves securing the ends of the guide members in respective openings 28 (FIG. 7) followed by adjusting the insertion into the respective openings 44 a, 44 b, 46 a, 46 b, 48 a, 48 b of retainer 40 with the helmet on and the retainer 40 engaged with the retainer seat 42. In one embodiment, the method for setting the length of the guide members is a combination of the two previously discussed methods. Preferably, the predetermined length to which the guide members are determined and cut is accomplished with the wearer's head and neck being moved at each point to the maximum comfortable cervical, flexion, or extension positions (which may be less than the normal maximum range of motion), which can most easily be achieved in a sequential manner and which can be done by the wearer, or more typically, with the aid of another individual.

That is, once the gear is donned and connected, except for the attachment of the guide members 20 to the retainer 40, the wearer would go through each range of motion, with the guide members 20 being secured to the retainer 40 at each range of motion. To avoid inadvertently missing some, it may be desirable to go from back to front, then left to right to make sure all guide members 20 are tied down and locked in or secured.

Because the guide members 20 are secured at the maximum range of extension desired to be experienced, the guide members 20 do not impede the wearer's normal range of motion or vision. Instead they are ordinarily limp, becoming taut only when a force is experienced that extends the wearer to the maximum range of motion and thereby preventing the neck and/or head from moving beyond that point. Instead of the force of impact being absorbed by the wearer and more particularly his or her head and neck, the force is distributed to the helmet 16 and body harness 14. Thus, the device 10 is designed to absorb linear and rotational acceleration forces into the equipment and not into the cervical spine, blood vessels, brain stem and brain of the wearer, reducing the likelihood of a concussion or other neck or spine injury.

When the anchor assembly 12, helmet 16 and body harness 14 are properly fitted and secured, the device 10 allows for free variable range of motion that can be customized for each specific wearer. For example, as previously noted, some players will have 80 degrees of right/left range of motion, while others might only have 70 degrees. The device 10 allows for this variance from player to player by tying off the guide members 20 at each wearer's maximum level of comfort. Once that normal range of motion is established and properly adjusted, the wearer's helmet will not rotate, laterally flex, flex or extend past the preset range of motion determined by the anchor assembly 12. When a body check or tackle does occur with a great force, the cervical spine will be allowed to rotate to that particular wearer's normal range of motion positions, but not beyond. The excess movement and force are dissipated by the device 10 via the helmet 16, guide members 20, anchors 18 and body harness 14.

As is appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, guide members 20 are cut to length to achieve the desired range of motion for the wearer, and once cut, cannot be further adjusted, unless such adjustment results in the guide members being cut to a shorter length.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for preventing neck, spinal cord injury and concussion, comprising; a helmet; a body harness; and three anchor assemblies separately positioned at a rear position, and right side and left side positions and connecting the helmet to the body harness, wherein the anchor assemblies are adjusted to limit cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion of a wearer to a predetermined set point, each anchor assembly positioned at the right side position and at the left side position including three guide members extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly, the anchor assembly positioned at the rear position including at least one guide member extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly, each of the guide members being attached to a corresponding anchor, the anchor comprising a retainer for receiving and securing the guide members and a retainer seat permanently attached to the body harness, the retainer and retainer seat being detachably coupled to one another, the helmet being detachable from the body harness without adjusting the guide members secured to the retainer, wherein the retainer and retainer seat are male and female buckle elements.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helmet includes grommets configured to receive the guide cords.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to permit a maximum range of motion of 80 degrees for right and left rotation, 45 degrees for right and left lateral flexion, 50 degrees for flexion, and 60 degrees for extension.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to distribute linear and rotational acceleration forces experienced by the wearer to the helmet and body harness.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer seat is attached to the body harness at a location concealed by a jersey worn over the body harness.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least the anchor assemblies positioned at the right side position and at the left side position include a second retainer for receiving and securing the guide members opposite a corresponding anchor of the anchor assembly, wherein the second retainer is attached to the helmet. 